North Korea fired two more projectiles into the East Sea, further raising tensions on the peninsula, and the South Koran military indicates that it is now analyzing the projectiles and maintaining high levels of readiness.

This is the sixth time the North has fired projectile weapons since July 25, and the eighth time since the beginning of the year. North Korea has defended the launches as being within their rights to self-defense, and heavily criticized the South for condemning the launches.

North - Missile - Tests - November - Projectile

The North, which had halted missile tests since November 2017, began launching projectile weapons, including short-range ballistic missiles, from May 4.

The May 4 launch was followed by another on May 9. The projectiles launched on the two occasions are thought to be KN-23 missiles.

North - Korea - Weapon - Missiles

North Korea officially announced that it has tested a “new weapon” after these two missiles were launched.

The national defense scientists showed a perfect result in the test-fire, too, and helped cement bigger confidence in this weapon system.”

Experts - Projectiles - Similarities - US - Army

…Military experts say that the projectiles bear outward similarities to the U.S.’ Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), a surface-to-surface missile system.

Friday’s firing came six days after North Korea flew two projectiles believed to be short-range ballistic missiles, though the North said later it tested a “new weapon.” It also was the sixth such launch since late July.

North - Korea - Weapons - Tests - Weeks

North Korea has carried out weapons tests in recent weeks in apparent protest of the ongoing joint military exercise by South Korea and the United States, which...